ANITA GOPALKRISHNA SHARMA

A/101, Gurusadan society, Veer Savarkar Marg Dombivili East, District: Thane,
Maharastra, India, Pin code: 421201
Mobile number: 8976685119;Home: +912512474264 e-mail:anita.sharma2986@gmail.com

AREA OF RESEARCH

Carbon Nanotube synthesis and characterizations, Doping, Chemical Vapour Deposition

Catalysis, mechanism and kinetics, mathematical modeling, hydrogen storage and scale-
up.
MAJOR RESEARCH ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 Synthesis of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) using solid source imidazole
and acetylene and boron doped carbon nanotubes using boric acid and acetylene (B-
CNTs) in a fixed bed reactor using catalytic chemical vapour deposition was
successfully accomplished.
 A maximum conversion of 60% (≈ 1.7g N-CNTs for 4.8g imidazole and acetylene)
achieved for N-CNTs and 10.7% for B-CNTs (≈ 0.6g B-CNT for 5.8g of acetylene) was
achieved.
 The amount of nitrogen doping obtained on the N-CNTs amounted to 13.8 wt% and
that for B-CNTs was 6-7 wt%
 Diameter of N-CNTs obtained was in the range of 20-80nm and that of B-CNTs was
around 130nm.
 Amount of hydrogen stored in N-CNTs at 123K and 50 bar pressure accounted to a
maximum of 1.8 wt % and that at ambient temperature was 0.36 wt%.
 The BET surface area calculated for N-CNTs was 291m2/g and that for B-CNTs was
538 m2/g which was one of the appreciable reported surface areas of experimentally
derived N-CNTs and B-CNTs.
 A novel mechanism was proposed and a mathematical model was established from the
proposed mechanism which was in sync with the experimental results for the growth of
N-CNTs and B-CNTs.
 Optimization of the synthesis parameters was accomplished so as to establish a proper
mechanism to utilize it for bulk scale synthesis.
 AREA OF RESEARCH

Current Status: PhD. Chemical Engineering

Ph.D. (Tech.) Chemical Engineering (Sep.2013-July2017)
Institute of Chemical Technology (formerly UDCT), Matunga (E), Mumbai-400019,
Maharashtra, India
Dissertation: Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes
Project Details:
 The objective of the present work was to investigate the growth kinetics and mechanism
of doped carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (nitrogen and boron doping) using chemical vapour
deposition in fixed and fluidised bed reactors. A systematic study was undertaken by
varying individual parameters that affected the rate of doped carbon nanotube formation
and the rate controlling step was determined. The synthesized doped carbon nanotubes
were utilised for different applications such as hydrogen storage, electrochemical
applications and catalysis.
 Nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) were synthesized using imidazole (both
nitrogen and carbon precursor), acetylene (carbon precursor), Ferrocene/MgO as
catalyst/support and Argon as carrier gas. The different parameters that were varied
included temperature of reactants, partial pressure of reactants, total flow rate and
catalyst concentration, particle size of the MgO particles to eliminate the pore diffusion
resistances and finally the volume of the particles.
 Boron doped carbon nanotubes (B-CNTs) were synthesized by using boric acid as a
boron precursor and acetylene as carbon precursor. Argon was used as a carrier gas and
Ferrocene/MgO was used as a catalyst and support. The systematic study was carried
out in a similar manner to that of N-CNTs. The B-CNTs were further utilized for
applications in hydrogen storage, electrochemical applications and catalysis.
 The products (N-CNTs and B-CNTs) were characterized using different analytical
techniques to understand their surface properties, purity, stability and quantification of
the dopants. The characterizations used were, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Transmission Electron Microscopy (both low resolution and high resolution), Raman
 Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
(XPS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), BET surface area analysis and Fourier Transform
Infrared Spectra (FTIR)

Master of Chemical Engineering (8.54/10 CGPA) (2011-2013)

Institute of Chemical Technology (formerly UDCT), Matunga (E), Mumbai-400019,
Maharashtra, India
Dissertation: Design and Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Catalytic Applications
Project Details:
 Heterogeneous nanocatalyst was synthesized with impregnation of monometallic
palladium and bimetallic palladium-copper on alumina xerogel as a support.
 The catalyst was characterized using various analytical techniques like X-ray diffraction
studies, BET surface area analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy,
Temperature Programmed Desorption and Scanning Electron Microscopy.
 The catalyst synthesized was used for hydrogenation of succinic acid to γ-butyrolactone.
The products of the reaction were analyzed by High Performance Liquid
Chromatography. The experiments were performed so as to obtain increased selectivity
of γ-butyrolactone and the obtained results (72% conversion with 94% selectivity)
suggested improvement in the outcome as compared to that of the literature.
 A kinetic model was developed which helped in determining the intrinsic kinetic rate
constant and could be used for determining conversion for a particular catalyst loading.

Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering (7.57 CGPA/68.82%) (2004-2008)

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University Lonere, Dist: Raigad, Maharashtra, India
Dissertation: Photocatalytically Regenarative Activated Carbon Filter (PRACF)
Project Details:
 PRACF was prepared by combining Activated Carbon (an adsorbent) and Titanium
Dioxide (photocatalyst) to remove industrial dyes from waste water. Titanium dioxide
was used for regenerating the catalyst after adsorbing the dyes.
 Methylene blue was the dye that was considered for adsorption. Titanium dioxide was
activated using ultraviolet light that helped in the regeneration of the catalyst.
  The catalyst after regenerating for 24 h showed the same activity as that of the fresh
catalyst and the activity showed a slight reduction after 5 cycles.

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
International Journals:
 Sharma A., Dasgupta K., Banerjee S., Patwardhan A., Srivastava D., Joshi J., Insitu
nitrogen doping in carbon nanotubes using fluidised bed reactor and hydrogen storage of
doped nanotubes, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.01.160
 Sharma A., Dasgupta K., Patwardhan A., Joshi J., “Kinetic Study of Nitrogen Doped
Carbon Nanotubes in a Fixed Bed”, Chemical Engineering Science,
2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2017.03.017
 Patankar, S.C., Sharma, A.G. & Yadav, G.D. Clean Techn Environ Policy (2017).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-017-1381-6

Conferences:
 Sharma A., Dasgupta K., Patwardhan A., Joshi J. “Study of morphology and structural
characteristics of nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes synthesized using different
catalysts.” International Conference on Nanostructured Polymeric Materials and
Polymeric Nanocomposites, ICNPM, November 13-15, 2015, Kottayam, Kerala, India.
 Sharma A., Dasgupta K., Patwardhan A., Joshi J., “Kinetic Study of Nitrogen Doped
Carbon Nanotubes in a Fixed Bed” International Conference on Gas-Liquid-Solid
(GLS-13), August 20-23,2017, Brussels, Belgium.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Process Engineer (Mar.2008-Sept.2008)
Vikram Ispat, Salav, Maharashtra, India
 A sponge iron manufacturing unit that produced Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and High
Briquetted Iron (HBI) from the same reactor required the preparation of production
report, that included total production for the day, with quantitative and qualitative
analysis, energy and material consumption and quality of flue gas emission.
  Performing data analysis and providing recommendations to achieve maximum
production with minimum losses.
 Maximizing the utilization of basic resources like water and steam by suggesting
preventive measures for their loss.
Visiting Lecturer (Mar.2009-Mar 2010)
Evershine Classes, Dombivili, Maharashtra, India
 Guiding Diploma level students for their basic understanding of different chemical
engineering subjects including material balance stoichiometery, fluid mechanics,
industrial chemical processes, chemical reaction engineering, basic physics-chemistry
and basic mathematics.
 Conducting regular assessments of the student’s performance and preparing reports for
the same.

SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENTS

 APCAT-7, Certificate for Best Poster Presentation securing 3rd position,2017

 Vortex -2014, Certificate of Merit for securing first position in the event of solving
Industrially Defined problems at Institute of Chemical Technology Matunga, Mumbai,
2014
 A national award for the Master's thesis in Chemical Engineering (second prize) entitled
“Design and Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Catalytic Applications", by Indian Society
for Technical Education, 2013.
 Received Young innovators award at a competition jointly organized by Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar University and Institute of Chemical Technology, University of Mumbai,
2008

TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS

 A National Workshop on “Development of Indian Youth as Nuclear

Communicators” organized by Indian Nuclear Society in association with Bhabha
Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, India, 2015.
 A two day Laboratory Safety Workshop organised by Department of Chemistry,
Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga, 2014
  An International workshop in the World Forum for Crystallization, Filteration and
Drying workshop organized by the Department of Chemical Engineering, Institute of
Chemical Technology, Matunga, 2013
 A two day training program on Analytical Instruments (HPLC, GPC, FTIR, TGA-DSC,
GC and HPTLC) organised by Department of Chemical Engineering, Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar Technological University, Lonere, 2007
 An industrial training program for two weeks for the work on processing machines at
polymer Department, Reliance Industries Limited, 2006
 An industrial training for Ansys Software Private Limited for a period of two weeks,
2005

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

 Participated and presented a poster at APCAT-7 organized by Institute of Chemical

Technology, Mumbai, India
 A participant and a student volunteer for CHEMCON-13 held at Institute of Chemical
Technology, 2013
 A student volunteer for Young Researcher Competition and Young Innovators 2013
organised by Institute of Chemical Technology, 2013
 A volunteer in the Indo-German Symposium 2012 organised by Institute of Chemical
technology, 2012
 A technical paper presentation on a National Conference Chemfraternity-2008 on " Use
of CO2 as a future source of fuel", organised by Department of Chemical Engineering,
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University, 2008
 A committee member of the organising committee in Chemfraternity-2007, organised
by Department of Chemical Engineering Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological
University, 2007
COMPUTER PROFICIENCY

Nanotube Builder softwares like Ninithi, nanotube modeller, Chemdraw software, Origin
software, Ms-Office-2013, FORTRAN programming.
REFERENCES

Prof.(Dr.) Jyeshtharaj B.Joshi Prof.(Dr.) Ashwin W. Patwardhan

Emeritus Professor and J. C. Bose Fellow
Department of Chemical Engineering
Institute of Chemical Technology
Mumbai 400019, Maharashtra, India
Email: jbjoshi@gmail.com
Phone: +91-22-3361-2106/ +91-22-25597625
Department of Chemical Engineering
Institute of Chemical Technology
Mumbai 400019, Maharashtra, India
Email:
aw.patwardhan@ictmumbai.edu.in
Phone: +91-22-3361-2018

PERSONAL DETAILS

Date of Birth : 29th October, 1986

Gender: Female
Languages known: English, Hindi, Marathi, Konkani.
Nationality: Indian
LinkedIn Profile: www.linkedin.com/in/anita-sharma-b5b94b60

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the information furnished above is true to the best of my knowledge

Date: 20/04/2018
Place: Mumbai
ANITA GOPALKRISHNA SHARMA